Wednesday, December 3, 2014

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) - The World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature and Bank
of the Phil. Islands (BPI) Foundation have completed the "Business Risk
Assessment and the Management of Climate Impacts - a 4-year, 16 city study to
prepare Filipinos for escalating climate change effects." The results of
said study were unveiled on Monday with the presence of city mayor Ferdinand
Amante Jr, and partner stakeholders from the government and private sector.

According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
Philippines vice-chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, the Business Risk
Assessment and the Management of Climate Impacts (a 4-year, 16 city study to
prepare Filipinos for escalating climate change effects) was initiated in 2011.
"The study's first phase covered the cities of Baguio, Cebu, Davao and
Iloilo. Its second assessed Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Laoag, and Zamboanga. The
cities of Angeles, Batangas, Naga and Tacloban were evaluated in 2014. For
2014, Butuan, General Santos, Puerto Princesa and Santiago were covered,"
he bared.

“This project is a partnership between
WWF-Philippines and the BPI Foundation Incorporated, the corporate social
responsibility arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands to undertake a
Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts study in
key Philippine cities, with the aim of helping city planners and
decision-makers assess climate change impacts, identify opportunities and
decide on a sustainability strategy, site-specific interventions and standards
of next practice that will allow the city to retain economic viability and
respond more competitively in a climate-defined future,” disclosed Tan.

Tan recognized that Butuan City was once the seat
of a powerful kingdom over a thousand years ago, guards the mouth of the Agusan
River, the longest of Mindanao’s navigable waterways. He emphasized that the
city sits within a high-risk zone – right at the Agusan River Delta, where
rains are a daily occurrence and regular floods are expected. Its precipitation
figures are the highest in this assessment. It is also apparent that the
numbers will go higher.

“Butuan is the economic core for trade and
services of the Caraga region. To ensure its continued economic viability in a
climate-defined future, Butuan’s opportunity is to establish an integrated
river basin management system and strengthen multi-community alliances. The
city logged a vulnerability rating of 6.03, the second highest among the four
cities evaluated in this phase,” Tan highlighted.

Meanwhile, in response, Mayor Amante acknowledged
the presentation of CEO Tan and assured that the city government and the
WWF-Philippines and BPI Foundation will convene again for another meeting to
discuss further details and plans for the betterment of Butuan.

“Big thanks to WWF-Philippines and BPI Foundation
for including Butuan City as one of the recipients of your study. As the city
government also implements strategies to achieve the Vision 2020, where Butuan
should be Agro-Forestry City, we are also into bundling of socio-economic
services and convergence in skills training for livelihood. That’s why we are
taking your efforts positively that soon we can have a concrete plan on how we
can better manage climate change impacts,” Amante articulated.

Tan reiterated that there is a need to balance
urban development and agricultural self-sufficiency, while investing in a
multi-sourced supply of resources. "The Philippines is our shared gift.
Preparing it for the impacts of climate change is our shared responsibility.
Business Risk Assessment & the Management of Climate Impacts is a powerful
tool that provides socio-economic safety nets & long-term solutions as we
look at the future through the climate lens," reminded Tan.

It was also emphasized in the study that cities
must stabilize their resource base, invest in proactive reconfiguration, and
build-up reactive reserves. Ample finances reserves, increased investment in
building human capital, plus the sustainable management of resources are
critical for resilience and competitiveness.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is the
world's largest and most experienced conservation organization, operating in
over 100 countries through the support of nearly five million people worldwide.
WWF-Philippines has been working as a national organization of the WWF network
since 1997. As the 26th national organization in the WWF network,
WWF-Philippines successfully implemented various conservation projects to help
protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Vegetable Harvest Festival set in AgSur

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – As an affirmative
outcome of the projects implemented by international non-government
organizations in Caraga region, East-West Seeds-Philippines together with
Winrock International-Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) jointly led in
organizing a Vegetable Harvest Festival which is set on Wednesday, December 10,
2014 at Brgy. Dakutan, Esperana, Agusan del Sur.

According to Winrock International-Philippine Cold
Chain Project (PCCP) chief of party Dan Gudahl, the Vegetable Harvest Festival
is a gathering that brings together the vegetable producers, industry experts,
traders, processors and input suppliers.

Opening of booths, products showcase and market
opportunity presentations will start in the morning, and a raffle of seeds in
the afternoon.

“The festival will also highlight the Farmer Field
School (FFS) graduation, production of FFS producers and potentials of
Esperanza municipality and Bayugan City for vegetable production,” said Gudahl.

He also mentioned that the event will address
production issues and optimize opportunities to enable the vegetable producers
maximize their income.

Winrock International is a non-profit organization
that works with people in Caraga region and around the world to empower the
disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources.

On the other hand, East-West Seed International
has continued to develop and produce high quality seeds for Asian farmers over
the years. Aside from its principle that success in vegetable production starts
with high quality seeds and good genetics, it also believes that the right
technology and cultural management practices will help farmers attain the
maximum benefit out of good seeds. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

According to PDRRMO officer Erma Suyo, PDRRMC
chair Matba has issued an Executive Order No. 39 Tuesday activating the PDRRMC
and the Incident Command System (ICS) Incident Management Team of the province
effective immediately.

“The province is now implementing Code White –
Monitoring and Alert Level,” said Suyo. All vehicles are now on standby for
possible deployment, Suyo said.

Also, according to Suyo, governor Matba has
already directed all the local government units of the province to activate
their respective Local DRRMCs as well as their Emergency Response Teams.

Officer Suyo also said that a preposition stations
have been identified by the PDRRMC, for areas covering the municipalities in
the East, the Council and the Villahermosa Department Store in Cabadbaran City
signed a Memorandum of Agreement to use their warehouse for the relief goods
and immediate access of their grocery items if needed during the entry of
typhoon ‘Hagupit.’ For the municipalities located in the west, relief goods are
now ready at the Operation Center (OpCen) located at the PDRRMO in Butuan City.

“A Standardized Protocol to all barangays has been
observed and practiced every time a disaster or a calamity is experienced in
the province,” Suyo added.

Meanwhile, as per Memorandum Order No. 44 issued
by the local government unit of Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte has already
activated their ICS for implementation of all the DRRMCs within the locality,
Las Nieves Emergency Response Team (LNERT) and other volunteers.

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Dec. 3 (PIA) - The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management
Bureau (DENR-EMB) in partnership with the municipal government of Dinagat
conducted a one-day Orientation on Waste Analysis and Characterization Study
held recently at the Ecleo Macapagal Gym, New Mabuhay, Dinagat, this province.

According to EMB Caraga technical staff Rolito

Perez

, the orientation was aimed to inform the
community about the proper waste segregation and waste disposal.

The orientation was participated by barangay
captains, barangay secretaries and committee members on environment from the
municipalities of San Jose, Cagdianao and Dinagat. (SDR/MIO-Dinagat/PIA-Dinagat
Islands)

The said crusade was held at the Bus Terminal of
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur on December 2, 2014 condemning the atrocities
made by the Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 14 of the Communist Party of the
Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CNN) under Leonida Belarmino
Sanches (Aka Susay/Monique).

More or less 500 demonstrators participated by
different groups to include the Anti Communist Movement Association (ACMA) led
by Tatay Boom, a former front secretary of GFC 21 and a close relative of the
massacred victims. The group also
denounced the CNN's activities such as arson, extortions, bombings, ambuscades
and lately the killing of four innocent civilians to include the pregnant
woman, wounding of four to include an eight year-old child and the barangay
chairman of the place.

Ltc Noman Alcovindas, commanding officer of the
75th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army said that the series of atrocities
made by the CNN only shows that their existence is already irrelevant.

"Killing of innocent civilians, targeting
ambulance and using of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is a clear violation
of CARHRIHL. It only shows that they are already desperate in convincing people
to join their cause," he said.

He also believes that the CNN's existence is to
sow terror victimizing innocent civilians for their personal interest. (PA/PIA-Caraga)

Mindanao sends 37 athletes to East ASEAN
friendship games

DAVAO CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – A contingent of 37
young athletes, 14 coaches and sports and government officials from Mindanao
will be participating in the 8th BIMP-EAGA Friendship

Games

in Labuan, Malaysia from December 6 to 10, in
efforts to strengthen cross-border links through sports among the
member-countries of the economic sub-region.

The delegation, who left for Labuan on Wednesday
is led by Davao City Deputy Sports Chief Ma. Goldi Delvo. Two delegations from
the City of Puerto Princesa and the Province of Palawan also left for Labuan on
the same day, totalling the Philippine contingent to 122 athletes and coaches.

“Our athletes will compete in five major sports
events of the Friendship Games, which include basketball, beach volleyball,
sepak takraw, badminton, and athletics,” said Delvo during the delegation’s
send-off held at the conference hall of the Mindanao Development Authority
(MinDA).

All participating athletes are within the 15-21
age group, and were selected through a series of try-outs conducted and
supported by the Davao City government.

Mindanao raked in 11 gold medals and subsequently
ranked third during the 7th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games, held in General Santos
and Koronadal City in December 2012. The
Palawan contingent on the other hand secured seven gold medals during the sports
event.

“This year, we urge you to win the games, earn new
friends, and promote Mindanao,” said MinDA Executive Director Usec. Janet
Lopoz. MinDA serves as the Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA.

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia
Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. The initiative was launched in
1994 as a key strategy to accelerate social and economic development of less
developed areas in participating countries.

She added that more social and cultural exchanges
can be expected within the sub-region, after the recent adoption of the
socio-cultural and education pillar for BIMP-EAGA.

The BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games is a biennial event
of the sub-region, which aims to bring together people from all cultures and
races to encourage harmony among BIMP-EAGA member countries through sports.

“Beyond the friendly competition, we also see this
activity as a refreshing way of coordinating with the other governments from
EAGA to tackle other concerns besides trade and commerce, like culture and
sports,” said Gerardo Reynaldo, chief of MinDA’s South Central Mindanao Area
Office, and MinDA representative to this year’s Friendship Games.
(MinDA/PIA-Caraga)

DTI expands watch on goods in SurSur

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 3 (PIA) – The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao del Sur headed by acting
provincial director Romel Oribe has continued to keep an eye on the quality of
fireworks on sale for the Yuletide season.

Manny Disca, Consumer Welfare Division chief, said
that aside from Christmas lights and “noche buena” products, their itinerary
also includes inspection of fireworks to safeguard the buying public from
loosely manufactured ones.

Earlier, the DTI officer admitted that not one
Christmas light has ever been confiscated recently since they have started to
conduct surprise inspections, which led them to believe that those engaged in
this trade have already learned their lesson.

Some eight bags of Christmas lights being sold
without the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) seal had been seized last year
during the same period.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 3 (PIA) –
Surigao del Sur chief Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC)
officer Abel De Guzman said all his counterparts at the city and municipal
levels have already been advised since yesterday to activate their respective members
due to the possible risk a storm with international name “Hagupit” might bring
in to the country.

To be renamed “Typhoon Ruby” upon crossing the
Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), early forecast by Philippine
Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
indicated that Visayas and Mindanao might be hit anew should it continue to
move following its current path, he said.

Meanwhile, De Guzman stressed that constant
contact is maintained with all concerned allies in the entire province, adding
that the same had been informed to take responsibility of advising fishermen in
their respective areas of jurisdiction not to venture at sea to avoid mishap
starting this noon. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

PNP set for Human Rights Consciousness Week
celebration in SurSur

TANDAG CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – The Philippine
National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur led by acting provincial director
P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero is already set for the 2014 National Human Rights
Consciousness Week celebration on December 4-10 as well as the 66th Anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 8.

On December 1, a simultaneous reading of “Panata
sa Karapatang Pantao” led by a designated police human rights officer was
conducted at all respective levels of the local chain of command here during
their flag raising rites after all police units have been enjoined to take
part.

Streamers have likewise been hung to mark the
occasion in this year’s celebration that carries the theme “Mamamayan at
Pamahalaan Kapit-Bisig sa Pagsulong ng Karapatan at Kaunlaran.”

Meanwhile, Verdadero stressed that he has not
recalled any case of human rights violation involving a member of the PNP under
his administration that has been embroiled.

Moreover, the provincial chief cop here has
condemned the incident that took place in Agusan del Sur regarding an ambulance
that was fired upon on November 30 at around 5:30 p.m. by alleged members of
the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Latay, Barangay Marfil, Rosario town where
four civilians have been reportedly killed and seven others wounded while on
board.

"We are working to rid the Philippines of the
corruption that has tainted its reputation and plagued it for so long; we are
working to institutionalize a legacy that finds its roots in the mindset of our
countrymen, who will never again settle for anything less than true public
service,” sabi ni Pangulong Aquino.